Prefabricated Buildings

Modular office buildings are environmentally friendly, mobile and super affordable
By Matt Alderton, Writer, Editor and Media Consultant Logolepsy Custom Content and Communications Prefabricated buildings answer a nagging question for small business owners: How can I possibly afford bigger facilities for my business? Prefabricated buildings, or modular buildings, are ideal real estate solutions for small businesses because modular office buildings are affordable, adaptable and accessible. And while the most inexpensive models aren't always the prettiest, more and more modern-day modular offices are both attractive and functional.
 

If you can't afford to build an office building from scratch or to lease expensive commercial space that's as impractical as it is pricey, modular office buildings might be worth a look. Pre-built in sections, then assembled on site, they have many benefits. Among them:

1. Modular buildings can be customized to suit almost any need.
2. Because they minimize construction waste and often include recycled materials, prefabricated buildings are more environmentally sound.
3. Modular buildings tend to be more affordable; they cost less to build, less to mortgage and less to maintain or renovate.
4. Because they're mobile, modular office buildings are ideal for businesses that require flexibility and portability.
5. Modular offices can be built quickly for businesses that have immediate real estate needs.
6. Prefabricated buildings are diverse; there are prefabricated steel buildings, prefabricated wood buildings and more, suited for a variety of industries and purposes.

Shop for prefabricated buildings by size and type

Prefabricated buildings take on many forms. From small to large, they include portable classrooms, research labs, construction trailers, storage facilities and even large, multi-room modular offices.
Try: Builders such as Comark Building Systems, MBMI Metal Buildings and Pac-Van offer virtual showrooms in which you can browse prefabricated buildings in order to get an idea of the sizes and scopes of modular offices available to you.

Choose between prefabricated steel buildings and prefabricated wood buildings

Companies that manufacture prefabricated buildings offer a variety of materials with which to build both the interiors and exteriors of modular offices. There are companies that specialize in building prefabricated steel buildings, for instance, and companies that specialize in building prefabricated wood buildings.
Try: Companies offering prefabricated steel buildings include General Steel, American Steel Span and Allied Steel Buildings. Meanwhile, companies offering prefabricated wood buildings include American Standard Building Systems, Blazer Industries and Lester Buildings.

Consider only modular buildings within your budget

Modular buildings typically cost between $35 and $200 per square foot, depending on their size and scope. And while they still require a considerable investment, prefabricated buildings are certainly a cheaper alternative to new construction.
Try: At 360MobileOffice you can get free quotes from up to four different suppliers that manufacture modular buildings.  Check for more suppliers of modular offices at Business.com.

Look for modular office buildings with attractive amenities

Typically, you can purchase either prefabricated steel buildings or prefabricated wood buildings. Both can be aesthetically customized, however, with brick or stucco exteriors, multiple doors and windows, unique roofs and interesting interiors.
Try: Look for manufacturers who can design and build custom modular buildings, such as MetalBuildingDepot.com, Premier Modular, M Space and Pacific Mobile.

Remember, home offices can be modular offices, too

Modular office buildings aren't for everyone. But even if you have a home-based business, you can take advantage of modular design, as there is a large market for affordable prefabricated homes.
Try: Penn Lyon, Sandcastle Group and Altamont Homes are among the country's many modular homebuilders. Visit Modular Today to look for modular homebuilders in your area.

Think past prefabricated buildings

Even companies that don't have modular office buildings can have modular offices when they look beyond prefabricated buildings toward purchasing modular interiors. You can find modular furniture, cubicles and workstations, and even interior offices with which to remodel your existing space.
Try: Companies providing modular interiors for both traditional and prefabricated buildings include Inscape, Haworth and National Partitions.

• If you're in the market for prefabricated buildings, whether prefabricated steel buildings or prefabricated wood buildings, always ask to speak directly with a sales representative. Companies that manufacture modular buildings should be able to discuss your needs with you in order to develop customized solutions; plus, they'll be able to answer all your questions about the cost, size, location and features of modular offices.
• When you're researching modular buildings, be sure to ask about warranties and service plans, as prefabricated buildings ought to come with some form of guarantee.
• Consider that most modular buildings feature lower ceilings, typically 8 feet high, and elevated entrances, up to 30 inches off the ground.
• Before you complete a purchase, be sure to ask vendors for references; speaking with other business owners who have purchased prefabricated buildings from a given company is essential in evaluating the quality of the product.
• When you're working with prefabricated building vendors, ask to see samples and models of modular buildings that they've designed for other clients; look for companies that have designed prefabricated buildings of a similar size, shape, cost, etc., as the modular offices you're considering.
• Like homes, modular buildings can be financed in a number of ways. Consider a home loan or an SBA small business loan.